I've read up on the construction and QC differences between the MIC P17 and the German Weihrauch P3 \ HW40. Machined vs stamped parts, higher quality barrels, better fit & finish and out-of-the-box lighter trigger pull seems pluses going for the much more expensive P3. Other than possibly better reliability, will the P3 out-shoot (better accuracy and repeat-ability) a good-working-order P17 (such as mine)? Well, looks like I'm going to answer the P3 vs P17 question myself! Have a P3 coming at a good deal (1\2 MSRP). Believe I've taken the P17 trigger accurizations as far as I dare, time to put these two superb paper cutters\plinkers side-by-side. Is one P3 worth "four to five P17's"...probably not. Then again, my optics birding\hunting arsenal (Swarovski & Zeiss) wasn't cheap either!!
Received the P3 on Saturday 21st. Overall, it is everything I expected. As others have said, the P3 has an excellent 2 stage trigger that once at the 2nd stg wall, takes less than 1\32" to break the glass...Nice! When I try to replicate that action with the P17's (OEM 2-stage), their 2nd stages have some creep to get a crisp breaking action. I can get close (2\32" & 3\32") by making them virtual single stage actions by setting the pre-travel\2nd stage sear screw all the way in (after my trigger mod, just one short steady trigger pull), but then I give up any desirable 1st stage pre-travel (okay with me)! The P3 overall has a better build, a better finish and a more solid feel in the hand. The machined stainless steel components (sears, springs, pins, hammer, cams, valve parts) and the steel trigger, safety and external over lever hammer lock parts should outlast the P17's DNA.
So far, have about 200 rounds through the P3. Got the iron sights set and when I don't pull a round, can get a 5-shot group touching within about a .250 spread (see target groups 3,4,9,10,12,13). This appears a hair better than my P17 #2 with fiber optic sights (groups #16-20), as I usually create tight groupings with it. However my P17 #1, with a dialed in red dot reflex scope (groups #21-25) and its 13oz trigger nails <.250 groupings consistently! Will install the red dot reflex scope on the P3 to give it a "best shot" opportunity for accuracy!
IMHO, if your wanting\needing the extra durability the P3 offers, or possibly the reliability\longevity it may bring, even though it appears at this time to be a relative equal in the accuracy department, then 4 to 5 times the investment (or more) certainly would be worth it! However, if you want\need to be frugal with your air gun investment, willing to put in the time and effort to tinker-repair-upgrade-mod a P17 (if\when needed), then this option is certainly also worth it!
Ted